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DCU selected to host World Conference on Online Learning
DCU selected to host World Conference on Online Learning

DCU selected to host World Conference on Online Learning

Dublin City University (DCU) has been selected by the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) to host the 2019 World Conference on Online Learning.

The World Conference, which takes place every two years, is the largest and most prestigious international event exploring new open, online and flexible models of education.

Gard Titlestad, ICDE Secretary General said:

“DCU submitted an outstanding case to host the 28th ICDE World Conference in November 2019, which will attract the world’s leading scholars, researchers, innovators, policymakers, industry partners and practitioners working in the field.”

Professor Mark Brown, Director of the National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL), and 2019 World Conference Chair said:

“Our successful bid in hosting the World Conference with a theme of Transforming Lives and Societies is recognition of DCU’s leadership and growing international reputation in the area of online learning.”

Professor Anne Looney, Executive Dean of DCU’s Institute of Education, Ireland’s largest teacher education provider, said:

“DCU has a strong team working in the field of digital learning and is committed to opening access to education and providing opportunities for lifelong learning through new digital technologies.”

Global demand for online part-time study continues to grow with recent figures showing that in the US alone, over 6 million students are estimated to be completing some of their degree online.

Professor Brown added:

“In Ireland, despite the current restrictive funding model, the demand from part-time mature students for more online and flexible learning pathways continues to increase as people look to earn as they learn.”

This year, DCU accepted a record number of new registrations for online degree programmes offered through the DCU Connected platform.

Professor Brown reports that more than 60 million learners worldwide registered for a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in 2016.

DCU will be launching its first official MOOC in 2018 on Irish Language and Culture through the FutureLearn platform.

This MOOC initiative is part of the Fáilte ar Líne – Welcome on Line project supported by the Irish Government under the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language.

Associate Professor Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl, Head of the NIDL’s new Ideas Lab leading the collaborative initiative between FIONTAR & Scoil na Gaeilge commented:

“Further MOOCs are planned over 2018 as DCU looks to innovate in new models of online learning and to provide access to engaging, learning opportunities to people living throughout Ireland, and beyond.”

DCU’s commitment to widening access to lifelong learning was further recognised at this year’s World Conference, with Professor Brown’s appointment by ICDE as a Global Ambassador for Open Educational Resources.

According to Professor Brown the World Conference will provide a platform to showcase both Ireland’s innovation in digital learning and global reputation in the IT sector.

DCU would like to acknowledge the support of Fáilte Ireland and Happening Conferences and Events in the preparation of its successful bid.

More information about the 28th ICDE 2019 World Conference on Online Learning will be available from the following website http://wcol2019.ie.